NOTICE: Emergency Rule - Weights and Measures - Fuel Waiver
In accordance with the emergency provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:962, and under the authority of R.S. 3:4609 and 4680, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry declares an emergency to exist and adopts by emergency process the attached regulations for the suspension of rules governing the sale of gasoline with ethanol blending limits and reid vapor pressure (RVP).
On March 25, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a nationwide temporary waiver under the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 211(c)(4)(C)(ii)(I) to address extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances caused by, among other things, global issues in the Middle East that are affecting all parts of the United States. The waiver extends the ethanol blending limit in gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent, reinstates the 1 psi allowance for ethanol blends in states where it was previously removed, and waives Federal low volatility gasoline standards. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry is granting a temporary emergency waiver so that gasoline with 9 to 15 percent ethanol content at a single common Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) standard of 10 psi may be used in Louisiana. The commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry intends to extend the waiver in Louisiana as long as the EPA extends the nationwide waiver.
At the expiration of this waiver, gasoline that does not meet the requirements for Louisiana may not be introduced into terminal storage tanks from which gasoline has dispensed into trucks for distribution to retail outlets in Louisiana. However, any gasoline meeting the conditions for this waiver that had already been placed in the terminal storage tanks for distribution to retail and wholesale purchasers – consumers before the expiration date of this waiver may be distributed until the supply is depleted. Likewise, retailers and wholesaler purchasers-consumers in Louisiana may continue to sell or dispense gasoline after the above expiration date until their supplies are depleted.
The Department of Agriculture and Forestry has adopted rules and regulations concerning the ASTM International Standards for gasoline reid vapor pressure and ethanol blending limits. A temporary suspension of these rules and regulations during this emergency is necessary to provide for an adequate supply of gasoline. Failure to suspend these rules and regulations creates an imminent peril to the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this state.
This Emergency Rule became effective upon the signature of the commissioner on April 17, 2026, and shall remain in effect for a period of 180 days unless renewed or rescinded.
https://www.epa.gov/gasoline-standards/fuel-waivers